PHITSANULOK: Four people and their dogs were rescued on Monday after being lost for six days deep in the forest of Thung Salaeng Luang National Park in Wang Thong district.
The small group -- a man, two women, a 14-year-old boy and three dogs -- left Pa Makrut village in tambon Wang Nok Aen and went into the forest to collect wild produce on Tuesday last week.
When they had not returned the following day, their relatives agreed they were probably lost and sought help.
Local officials, border police and a unit of the 3rd Army based in the area launched a search on Thursday, both by air and land.
On Sunday afternoon, the crew of an army helicopter spotted smoke from a small signal fire, which led them to the missing people and their dogs. They were found near Nam Poy stream in dense forest about 10 kilometres from their village.
Soldiers made their way to the site by ground on Monday morning and cleared an area for a rescue helicopter to land.
The lost villagers and their animals were airlifted out to Wang Thong Hospital about 11am.
They appeared weary but unharmed. The three dogs were also in good health.
They told their rescuers they had been disoriented by the heavy rain that pounded the area for two days and two nights, and lost their way. They survived on wild fruit and water from the stream.
Fortunately, one of them had a lighter, and when they heard and then saw the helicopter on Sunday they quickly made a signal fire to attract the crew's attention.
Dr Jakrit Somboonchan, director of Wang Thong Hospital, said the four people would be kept in hospital for a day or two for observation.
The dogs went home with relatives.